The village of Khoodi, Jaisalmer.

The village of  Khuri is about 50 kilometers from the princely city of Jaisalmer, nestled in the huge sand dunes of the Thar Desert. It was winter time and one one of the best time to spot the migratory birds which come here during this season, especially the buzzards, harriers, griffon vultures and the wheaters and also the the other local birds like the doves, shikras and bee-eaters.

The view of Khuri from the dunes

This beautiful scene is from the dunes at sunset time. The Acacia groves were home to Harriers, Wheaters, Bushchats, Wagtails and off-course the most adaptable Indian Peafowl. The mountainous region with the windmills is part of the desert national park. Sadly, we couldn't go there. The Desert National Park is one of the only strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard. It is also houses a diversity of other avifauna like Sandgrouses, Floricans, Eagles, Vultures, Falcons, Francolins, Quails, Harriers, Bee-Eaters and other open country birdlife. Beyond that is the princely city of Jaisalmer. Even though we didn't go officially to desert national park we spotted rare birds(quite common in these parts but extremely rare in Goa)like Vultures and Buzzards, namely the Long-legged Buzzard.

Long-legged Buzzard 

Long-Billed Vultures

The Long-Legged Buzzard is a stocky kite-sized bird of prey. It migrates to parts of Western and South-Western India in the winter. It mostly prefers dry deciduous, semi-desert and scrub habitat. Most of the times when I observed this buzzard, it was usually perched on  a low bush and fled at the slightest sign of disturbance. I mostly sighted it at late mornings and afternoon. Vultures were often found soaring above the land searching for a carcass. Many Long-Billed and Egyptian Vultures were sighted in this region. I also spotted an immature Egyptian Vulture and an adult feeding on a carcass of a cow. They had slit open the belly of the animal and were eating parts of the front foot. They too abandoned their prey after 2-3 minutes of observation.

Egyptian Vultures

We also found other passerines like Wheaters, Wagtails, Munias and Sparrows. The hotel which we were staying at also boasted a large amount of birdlife. Every morning the peafowls used to wake us up at about 6:30 with their calls. By about eight o'clock in the morning bird movement in the area would be maximum. For our 2 day stay at the hotel I could spot the Variable, Pied and Desert Wheater, Green Bee-Eater, White and White-Browed Wagtail, House Sparrows, Tawny Eagle, Long-Billed and Egyptian Vulture, Eurasian Griffon, Shikra, White-Eyed and Long-legged Buzzard, Laughing, Red and Eurasian Collared Dove, Indian Peafowl, Indian Roller, Pallid Harrier, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon(on the outskirts of a forest near Jaisalmer.) and the Grey Francolin. 

Green Bee-Eater

Indian Peafowl

Desert Wheater

Red-Collared Dove

White Wagtail

White-Eared Bulbul

Variable Wheater

Variable Wheater

Pallid-Harrier

Surprisingly, I also spotted Purple Sunbirds here. There were not many flowering trees in the vicinity too. I even spotted many White-Eared Bulbuls.

Purple Sunbird in its eclipse plumage

The Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon I mentioned about before were spotted were on a fruit-laden tree on the outskirts of Jaisalmer. I was surprised to see them so far away from forest.

Yellow-Footed Green Pigeons

Indian Roller

Indian Silverbill

Grey Francolins

Birds of Prey found in goa

Birds of prey are a diurnal family of birds or Raptors. They include Accipters, Harriers, Eagles, Vultures, Kites, Buzzards and Falcons. This group of birds is my favourite. They are (according to me) the most majestic birds out of all of the bird species. These birds range from the Besra which grows to a maximum of 30cm to the huge Cinereous Vulture. They are found in most of the habitats such as scrub, semi desert, desert, marshland as well as forest. In Goa there are 28 species of raptors found.

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Shikra

Long Billed Vulture and Eurasian Griffon

Accipters

They have short, round wings and a rather long tail. This is an adaptation for manoeuvring swiftly at high speeds through dense vegetation and forest in pursuit of prey, mainly birds. The Tarsus is unfeathered, long and slender depending on the species.Talons are well curved and extremely sharp.Females are, in some forms, twice as large as males. These are small to medium sized birds which are mostly found in forest, woodland, gardens and groves. Species found in Goa are Shikra, Besra, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and the Northern Goshawk.These birds hunt by sitting motionless on a lofty tree such as Mango, Pipal, Banyan,etc. and dive down on their prey, mostly birds. Besides birds, these species prey on small mammals, reptiles and insects.

Harriers
These are medium sized raptors which are winter visitors to Goa. None of the birds in this family breed in Indian limits except the Pied Harrier with 1 or 2 breeding records in Assam, north-eastern India.
The Harriers have long, narrow wings and tail. They long, slim and unfeathered wings to seize prey in the tall grass they dwell in. These birds have a small and weak beak with an Owl like ruff. Males of all the species in this genus are grey or white and are more striking than females and juveniles. All species of harriers found in Goa roost on the ground. They have a preference for open ground. they inhabit Grassland, fields, semi-desert and barren hill slopes.Species found in Goa are Pied Harrier(Rare), Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier and the Western Marsh Harrier.

Western Marsh Harrier

True Eagles or Aquila Eagles
This Genus comprises of large or medium sized, powerful eagles. They have broad wings with a squarish
medium length tail.When perched the folded wings generally extend to almost the tip of the tail. The tarsus is feathered till the toes.These birds are supreme opportunists in getting food. They also parasite on smaller raptors and also feed on carrion. Five out out of six species of Aquila are found in Goa which are: Tawny Eagle, Indian and Greater Spotted Eagle and the Steppe Eagle. The Indian and Greater spotted Eagle are globally threatened. The Bonelli' Eagle has recently been classified into Aquila.

Greater Spotted Eagle moulting 

Fish Eagles, Sea Eagles and Osprey
Osprey:Long narrow wings which enable it to hover, soar and undertake long distance migration without dependance of thermals.Long, unfeathered legs pluck fish from the water while the short, sharp feet help in gripping slippery fish. There is only one species in the wold of this genus.
Sea Eagles:Only one species of sea eagle which is the White-Bellied Sea Eagle is found in Goa. Birds of this genus have long, broad wings, moderately long and rounded tails. Sharp Talons with underside of claws grooved help to grab fish. these birds are dependent on water systems. They mainly eat fish and waterbirds and occasionally mammals. They feed on juvenile herons, egrets and storks in heronries like Salim  Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao.
Fish Eagles:Only 1 species of this genus are found in Goa, which is the Grey-Headed Fish Eagle. These birds are found in the fast flowing river systems mainly in parts of south Goa and Dandeli. But there have been few sightings in other parts of Goa. They powerful feet for gripping fish. The wings are long and broad, at resting extend to the tip of the tail. 

Black Eagle
A large, slim forest dwelling eagle which has a longish bill with a flexible wings and tail. Has fully feathered talons like those of the true Eagles.

Black Eagle - Varun Tipnis

                                   

Serpent and Snake Eagles
Snake Eagles:Only one species of his genus the Short-Toed Snake Eagle. A medium sized Eagle with long wings and a moderately long tail. Legs are long and unfeathered. The legs and toe have hexagonal scales which are belied in protecting the eagle from the bite of snakes it main food.This species is closely related to the forest dwelling serpent eagles.
Serpent Eagle:Serpent Eagles are extremely variable in size. They have long, unfeathered legs and talons acutely coloured. Juveniles are duller than adults.

Crested Serpent Eagle

Hawk Eagles
Hawk Eagles are medium sized forest dwelling eagles. They have a sharp and powerful beaks and long legs.
In Goa there are four species of hawk eagles which are: Booted Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and the Rufous Bellied Eagle

Booted Eagle

Vultures
These birds are rarely come across in Goa. The only reliable place to see Vultures is Velim Lake. These birds are complete scavengers and can feed on anything from carrion to dead carcasses. These birds prefer dry and arid habitat. They have curved beaks and moderately long, feathered legs. in Goa three species which are the Indian White Backed Vulture, Long Billed Vulture and the Egyptian Vulture.

Egyptian Vultures

Buzzards and Honey Buzzards
These are medium sized birds which have a preference for rugged mountain regions on the rain-shadow side of the Sayadris or the western Ghats. They have long, unfeathered feet and a squarish tail. They have a small, curved beak. They feed on small mammals and birds.

Long legged Buzzard

Oriental Honey Buzzards

Kites
These are small to medium sized birds which are found mainly in the coastal talukas of Goa. They are scavengers and sometimes also kill. they show a preference for all types of habitats. They have unfeathered feet and a powerful bill. they have a stocky body and powerful wings helping them to hover and soar.

Brahminy Kite

Migratory Birds

Goa is home to about 500 bird species out of which almost 40% are migratory. Most of the migratory birds are waders and the wintering species of Aquila eagles. There are also few other species of wintering birds like the Flycatchers, the Harriers and the Warblers.Many wintering Thrushes like Blue and the Blue-Capped rock Thrush are found here.Also most of the warblers like the Clamorous Reed Warbler and the Greenish Leaf Warbler are found here.

Booted Eagle

Asian Paradise Flycater

Montagu's Harrier

Blue-Capped Rock Thrush